I really, really liked this. It feels like it's a historical romance that's not trying to be anything besides a solid historical romance and it really hit the spot for me!

Alexandra is the youngest Prince sibling. Her family is known for its intelligence and derring-do, but Allie hasn't quite found her niche just yet. She feels a little inadequate next to her overachieving brother and sister, especially when they're chosen to go on a research expedition and she is left at home to mind the family antique shop. But one day as she's getting her morning coffee, she overhears a plot to steal the crown jewels. She goes to report the possible crime to Scotland Yard, where she meets Detective Inspector Benedict "Duke" Drake. He takes her tip seriously enough to investigate himself. They immediately hit it off and spend the rest of the book investigating the crime together.

To be brutally honest, I didn't find the book particularly unique or memorable (Detective Inspector "Duke," really?); but as I said above, it's quick, it's fun, it's sexy ... it's a solid historical romance, and it really provided exactly what I needed.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I'd never read Christy Carlyle before this, and while I will give her another chance in the future, this book was not nearly as fast-paced as I'd hoped. It had a lot of potential, but fell short.

3.5/5 This was an enjoyable story between a career minded Scotland Yard Inspector and an antique shop owner.

Allie and Ben meet in a chance encounter after Allie overhears a conversation about a potential plot to steal the Crown Jewels. I really liked the second half and it had me engrossed in the story.

Allie was often sick as a child and left out of family activities. Through habit, it has bled over into her adult life by once again being left behind by her older siblings as they go off on another exhibition. But her childhood has made her strong and independent.

Ben’s past has made him care a lot about justice and making a difference. I liked his character arc of going from a career driven individual to having his priorities rearranged after meeting Allie. I enjoyed their romance and love story.

However, the plot line outside the romance didn’t check the boxes for me. It was a bit of a slow start and felt I was left with more questions than answers on the details of the mystery plot.

Overall it was enjoyable and think most readers of historical romance would enjoy this story.

The Duke and Lady Scandal is the first book in the Princes of London series.

This was a new to me author. It didn’t read as a first book in a series. I’m not sure if this is interconnected with other series or not. There’s a few pieces that wasn’t explained and I’m not sure if it was explained in a previous book or if it will in a future book.

There was one encounter, several kisses, and an interrupted scene.

I received an advance reader copy via NetGalley. This review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

I had heard of Christy Carlyle in my romance circles but didn't have the privilege of reading her work myself. I really enjoyed the first half of the novel. I heavily related to the heroine's plight of being the youngest and often left out by her older siblings. Those scenarios still sting as an adult and it was nice to see it reflected in the pages. Alexandra was a very relatable protagonist and I liked reading from her perspective. She was an intelligent young woman who worked at her family's store and overheard a plot to steal the Crown Jewels. You know, typical everyday conversation.

The heroine enlists the aid of Scotland Yard to follow up on this scandalous series of events. Enter beefcake Detective Inspector Benedict to save the day. I did like the love interest initially and how gargantuan he was described. Gimme a big, burly man whose shoulders brush the doorframe any day. Like I said before, I liked the first half of the book until it became too repetitive and dull. Our couple kept fighting their feelings and eventually gave in, but by then it was too late for me. I was no longer invested and it wasn't a great breakthrough. I can appreciate the unique premise, but I lost interest midway through the book. Tragic, I know.

The Duke and Lady Scandal had a promising beginning, but it fell through due to a slow pace and a cliche formula. I will give credit to the auspicious opening, although it didn't hold my attention. I don't believe I'll continue with the series. I was happy to give this collection a shot, but it's not in the cards. I suppose rather in this case, the Crown Jewels weren't meant to be mine.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a refreshing change that neither of our leads was an aristocrat. And I found the mystery of the crimes very intriguing because there was no way to predict what would happen.

Alexandra was such a good lead - overlooked and overprotected by her family at the same time, but given the chance to come into her own after she meets Ben. Much as he’s hesitant at first, he lets her be her full clever, impulsive, interesting self, and he grows to love her for all those quirks. And she brings out the best in him too, softening his over seriousness. The best kind of romance.

I love the setup for this series, which I assume will be able Alexandra’s family, the Princes, and their antiquities business. But I also absolutely adored Ben’s sister and I hope we get to see so much more of her.

What happens when a bluestocking, whirlwind of an antiquities store owner meets a staid, no-nonsense Scotland Yard Inspector? Chaos and romance at its best. This was a really fun start to a new series, and I can hardly wait to see what happens next!

Alexandra Prince was the one who was always left behind in her adventurous family – and she doesn’t like it a bit. While her parents and siblings were off on exploring adventures, she was at home – sickly. She is outspoken, a bit impulsive, and honest to a fault, and those traits often land her in a bit of bother, much to the lament of her brother, Dominic, and her sister, Eve. Really, she just wants to do good and be of help. So, when she overhears snatches of a conversation about stealing the crown jewels, she goes to Scotland Yard to tell her tale. When the very handsome inspector actually listened to her, she was more than pleased.

Detective Inspector Benedict Drake is bound and determined to climb to the highest ranks in Scotland Yard. He is a workaholic who lives and breathes his cases. He has come a long way since his humble beginnings, and nothing is going to come between him and success. Then, this whirlwind of a chit barges into his office with tales about someone planning to steal the crown jewels. He concedes she is being honest and really believes what she’s saying – but – without descriptions or identifying details, there is no way to even begin to track anybody down.

As Ben follows leads to wrap up the case he’s been working on – and do inquiries into Alexandra’s reported case- they become more and more drawn to each other. Ben just wants to keep her safe and away from investigating, but she’s having none of it. She’s always wanted to have her own adventure, and now she will.

This was an enjoyable read with compelling, likable characters and a good mystery. I enjoyed watching Ben learn that success wasn’t necessarily what he thought it was.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This didn’t involve a duke or a scandal. It was a historical mystery wrapped inside a romance novel. Both the mystery and romance were rather meh. There was instalust and instalove as our curious heroine inserts herself into an investigation and into the hero’s bed. I would have liked more substance to the romance. And I would have liked more for the mystery which was built up and then resolved overly quickly.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Duke and Lady Scandal by Christy Carlyle is a third person-dual POV Regency romance. Allie grew up sickly and has spent much of her life locked up and in the shadow of her adventurous siblings. When she overhears a plan to steal the Crown Jewels, she heads to Scotland Yard and enlists Detective Inspector Benedict Drake and insists on helping. While Ben would normally work alone, he can’t brush off Allie or her enthusiasm to help.

Allie is the classic younger sibling who doesn’t want to be left alone and is determined to have her big adventure. The book opens with her trying to convince her siblings to let her go abroad, but they’re not very receptive to it due to her health. She gets her adventure right in London by being involved in stopping the heist and in meeting Ben, who does respect her desire to be independent and be involved but does have his own concerns regarding her health.

Ben is a bit more straight-laced to Allie’s more impulsive characteristics. It takes him a lot more to make a decision or break or rule or even really talk to someone about what he heard while Allie will overhear a conversation and go full speed ahead. This does make their personalities complementary without having too many struggles that would make the relationship feel like it’s doomed to fail. There’s moments where Ben’s control do get in the way of him really giving in to Allie, but he’s also not really shy about his feelings and does freely tell her how he feels when he realizes she reciprocates them.

I would recommend this to fans of Regency and Victorian romances that are about a mid-spice level and readers who loved National Treasure and want a historical romance version

I wanted to read The Duke and Lady Scandal, the first book in the Princes of London series, as soon as I heard it was inspired by National Treasure! I love that movie, and was excited to see how it would translate to a historical romance.

Overall, I thought this was a fun and entertaining romance. Alexandra is smart, determined, and ready for adventure, much like the rest of her family. She contrasts Detective Inspector Benedict Drake so well because he is a by-the-book, rule-following, goal-oriented investigator, and she is vivacious and eager to live life to its fullest and most adventurous. I liked seeing how she challenged Benedict to both loosen up and trust her, and their chemistry had major slow-burn vibes and excellent banter. It was wonderful to see their reluctant partnership turn into something deeper.

The mystery was also engaging, with twists and turns and intrigue. I am wondering if there will be more to the mystery in the next book because it felt a little unfinished. I have a feeling more will be explored as the series progresses. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I’ve read a lot of Christy’s books and am always intrigued with the blurbs. This one has some of my favorite elements, a detective (absolutely love them) and a mystery. Right up my alley so what’s not to like? Unfortunately, this wasn’t as exciting as I had hoped. Great idea though. I’ll continue to read Christy’s stories.

Allie comes from a family of adventurers, and they also own an antiquity shop. Allie has never been on one of her family's expeditions, she's always left behind to run the store. But one day she's out to grab a coffee and she overhears a plan to steal the crown jewels. Ben, an ambitious detective, listens to Allie about what she overheard, and the two become involved in their own adventure. As their investigation proceeds, an attraction grows between the two that might put the entire investigation in jeopardy, not to mention their lives. Is it all worth it? This book is full of strong characters, a sweet romance, some action and intrigue, and an ending that will melt your heart.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon in return for my honest review.

I do enjoy reading about two middle class working main characters in historical romance! (Though, the title is vaguely misleading lol.) I liked them.
But I’ve picked this up a few times now and I’m just not drawn in. We dive in pretty heavy handedly with the mystery and it just wasn’t working for me, but I know a lot of readers will appreciate that.

This was my first Christy Carlyle novel and I really enjoyed her writing style. I am finding myself a Victorian romance mystery binge these days and Carlyle's novel gave me the Miss Scarlett vibes I have been missing.

I love the strength and determination of Alexandra's character. How her childhood illnesses kept her from going with her family on their expeditions and how she was left to run the shop, which she did with a talent no one truly understood. I loved her energy and her need to do what she felt was right even if it put her in harms way. I also truly loved how she took control of her life in any way that she could especially when it came to showing Benedict Drake what she truly wanted.

I was instantly smitten with Detective Inspector Benedict Drake. He could protect me all day long. Place me under house arrest inspector... I truly enjoyed seeing his character adapt to the challenges that Alexandra presented. How he still went to investigate her claim even though he was sure it wasn't going to pan out. And how he enlisted the private detective Fitzroy to keep an eye on the coffee house. I also loved how Alexandra came to his rescue and saved the day in more than one instance.

I am intrigued to see how the rest of The Princes of London series pans out. Am I hoping for Fitroy and Helen to be MCs? Yes, yes I am!

In the captivating opener of Christy Carlyle's Princes of London series, readers are swept into a thrilling chase through Victorian London. The story follows Alexandra Prince, a clever and impulsive bluestocking who manages her family's antiquities shop while her adventurous siblings are off exploring. When she overhears a plot to steal the Crown Jewels, she seizes the chance to prove her worth and contacts Detective Inspector Benedict Drake of Scotland Yard. Benedict, dedicated yet serious, initially dismisses her claims but soon finds himself entangled in her world as they investigate the theft. Their undeniable chemistry blossoms amidst the action and mystery, as they navigate newfound feelings while pursuing a dangerous case. As tensions escalate, Alexandra's impulsive nature leads her back to Benedict, and the stakes become higher than ever. This unconventional historical romance interweaves intrigue and attraction, setting the stage for a series filled with adventure and passion.

This book is a delightful romantic adventure that combines engaging characters with a compelling mystery. Romance readers will appreciate the strong chemistry between Alexandra and Benedict, who both possess relatable struggles and desires. The Victorian London setting, paired with their journey from strangers to partners, adds depth to the narrative. With Alexandra's longing for adventure and Benedict's ambition, their dynamic unfolds beautifully, captivating readers as they work together to solve the mystery. The quick pacing and intriguing plot twists keep the excitement alive, making it a fast and enjoyable read. Additionally, the presence of strong secondary characters adds layers to the story, ensuring readers will be eager for the next installment in the series. This book is perfect for those who love historical romances with a mix of suspense and heartfelt connections. I love the cover art - it gives off a really romantic vibe.

This book is out April 1, 2025. Thanks to Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for an Advance Reader Copy.

This is the first book in the new series Princes of London.
Allie's family own an antiquities shop. While her brother and sister are off on adventures, she runs the shop.
Ben is a detective with Scotland Yard. One day, Allie overhears a conversation about stealing the crown jewels. As Allie and Ben get to know each other through his investigation, he realizes that what she heard might be related to another case he is investigating.
The chemistry was interesting between the two, there was a lot of action, mystery, and interesting secondary characters.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

The Duke and Lady Scandal by Christy Carlyle is a new book out this month. The book also introduces a new series called Princes of London. The main characters are Alexandra Prince and Detective Inspector Benedict Drake.

Alexandra Prince is the youngest of the Prince siblings. Her parents and siblings are often out and about doing archeological digs, while she was often left behind. As an adult, she runs the Prince’s store with the selling of artifacts and other special items.

While Alexandra was getting coffee one morning, she overheard three men speaking about how they were going to steal the crown jewels. She then contacted Detective Inspector Benedict Drake and told him about what she overheard. Meanwhile, things get a little twisted with other characters and various points of views. Alexandra and Benedict certainly have strong feelings for each other, but with so much going on they seem to be in everyone’s sights for questioning.

The Duke and Lady Scandal is an interesting title that caught my attention although the characters are not part of the Upper Establishment, they are interesting, strong characters. The Duke and Lady Scandal by Christy Carlyle is a great read!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve previously read a book or two from Christy Carlyle and liked them, so I decided to try again with The Duke and Lady Scandal, the first in a new series. One thing that drew me in right away was that, in spite of the implications given by the title, neither character is from the nobility, and they’re both just “regular” people.
And the characters overall are pretty likable. Allie was definitely the more sparkling of the two, being from a family of adventurers and antique dealers, and finding herself left behind to mind the family antique shop while her siblings hunt down antiquities. I loved her thirst for an adventure of her own, after having been sheltered her entire life, Detective Inspector Benedict Drake, nicknamed “Duke” (evoking Miss Scarlet and the Duke vibes), and while he comes off as bit stodgy, he’s also admirable for his ambition and dedication.
I enjoyed the romance for the most part, as they do have solid chemistry, although I did feel like things did go from zero to 100 rather quickly. But overall, pretty cute, even if it’s not all that memorable in the long run.
The mystery element has some solid ideas, focusing on a scheme to steal the Crown Jewels. But I feel like this plot lost momentum somewhere in the middle, as I became less and less invested in this aspect.
While this fell a bit short of expectations, I am open to reading more of this series to see if I enjoy it more. I’d still recommend this to readers who enjoy historical romances centered around commoner characters and/or with a decent mystery element.

A spirited antique-shop owner, Alexandra unexpectedly uncovers a plot to steal the Crown Jewels. Her pursuit of justice leads her to skeptical inspector Benedict, who soon falls for Alexandra’s charms.

I love the author’s writing style, as well as the main characters in this book. The story was fast-paced, and I enjoyed the mystery. The ending is confusing, but apart from that, it’s an enjoyable story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Duke and Lady Scandal is the first book in the new series Princes of London.

The Prince Family is full of adventurers and Alexandra is no different. While they are on another adventure Alexandra is left behind to manage their antiquities store. She overhears a conversation about stealing the crown jewels. She decides to alert the authorities and meets Detective Inspector Benedict Drake. She shares what she overheard and describes the men as best as she is able. Alexandra is not impressed with Benedict's response. She believes he does not think it is of importance and leaves. But for some reason she cannot stop thinking of him.

Detective Inspector Benedict Drake believes that his ability to focus solely on the task at hand makes him successful in closing the cases. He can hardly believe what Miss Alexandra Prince relays to him, but he has a niggling of doubt and decides to pursue this information quietly until he discovers more. He also cannot get the redheaded beauty out of his head.

Alexandra mulls over everything that happened at the coffee shop while at the family business. She is determined to pursue what she remembers until a distinguished gentleman comes into the shop, and she hears his voice. She is certain he is one of the men she heard. Alexandra's impulsive nature leads her back to Benedict,

This is an unconventional historical romance. The romance itself progresses fairly quickly before the mystery is solved. The characters were interesting and easy to like. I enjoyed this story very much.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was the first book by Christy Carlyle I've read, but I will definitely check out more by her. The Duke and Lady Scandal is fun and action-packed, with equally entertaining romance and mystery plots. Alexandra is the youngest in a family of archaeologists and explorers, but she is perpetually left behind to run the family's antiques store in their absence. After she overhears a plot to steal the Crown Jewels, she seeks the help of DI Drake to uncover what may or may not be a real planned heist. Drake gives her the benefit of the doubt and they launch their own investigation that ends up dovetailing with another of his unsolved cases. The dangers start closing in on both of them as they get closer to the would-be thief and potentially a dangerous killer.

This was a good comfort read -- low on angst, relatively immediate attraction between the main couple, and an interesting mystery. Both main characters are working class and operate without much oversight from family members or societal concerns. The villain here is entertainingly over the top but still poses a real threat to Alexandra and Drake so it makes for a fun read.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!